2025 Ambassador ADT Open
Round 2
2025/05/30
The 2025 Ambassador ADT Open, with a total prize purse of US$100,000 (approximately NT$3 million), held its postponed second round today (30th) at Hsin Feng Golf Club in Hsinchu. Local player Liu Yanhong leveraged his home course advantage and a composed mindset to card a 3-under-par 69, reaching an 11-under total of 133 after two rounds and claiming sole possession of the lead, two strokes ahead going into tomorrow’s final round. A host of Asian Tour standouts are close behind and have joined the title chase, including local players Chan Shih-chang, Chang Wei-lun, and Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, who are all tied for second at 135. Tomorrow’s final round is expected to be fiercely contested and promises to be thrilling.
Taiwanese players Liu Yonghua, Ho Yu-cheng, and Huang Yi-tseng each shot 68, along with Japan’s Naoki Sekito (69) and Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (70). These five players are tied for fifth at 8-under 136, just three shots off the lead, and remain firmly in contention for the title.
India’s Khalin Joshi carded the day’s lowest score with a 65. Thai players Suttinon Panyo, Weerawish Narkprachar, and Amarin Kraivixien posted rounds of 66, 67, and 68 respectively, and Italy’s Gabriele De Barba also shot a 68. These five international players are tied for 10th at 7-under 137 after two rounds.
Following today’s completion of the second round, the cut line was set at 2-under 142, with 57 players advancing to tomorrow’s (31st) final round. Due to heavy rain yesterday, the tournament has been shortened to three rounds.
Local favorite Liu Yanhong recorded six birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. He noted after the round that his driving was solid overall, with just one error on the par-3 2nd hole, where his tee shot landed in the right rough. While searching for the ball, he accidentally stepped on it. According to the rules, he was allowed to replace it without penalty, but the lie remained poor. It took him three shots to reach the green and two putts to finish with a double bogey. On the 3rd hole, still unsettled from the previous mistake, he missed the fairway again and took a bogey.
Apart from those two holes, his irons performed well, and his putting was decent. Starting on the 10th hole, he carded two birdies on the front nine for a 34. Despite some turbulence early in the back nine, he steadied himself and recorded three birdies in the last five holes, including two par-5s and a par-3, for a back-nine 35.
He said that Hsin Feng Golf Club is not easy to play, but his familiarity as a local gave him an advantage, especially with today’s stronger winds, which did not affect his performance. For tomorrow’s final round, if the wind continues, the key will be hitting accurate tee shots. Getting on the fairway is essential to attacking the greens and making birdies. Competing against many strong players, he aims to stay calm and play freely.
Taiwan’s Chan Shih-chang made eight birdies today. Although he only hit six fairways—just two on the back nine—his mid- and short-iron play rescued him, hitting 14 greens in regulation. His putting was the decisive factor, needing only 25 putts and sinking numerous birdies. He had back-to-back bogeys on holes 15 and 16 but sank two impressive 21-foot birdie putts on holes 6 and 13.
He posted a 31 on the front nine with five birdies and a 35 on the back nine, finishing with an excellent round of 66.
He said that his game felt good today, and despite stronger winds, his familiarity with the course’s wind directions and yardages helped him capitalize on the conditions and seize a favorable position in the title race.
He will assess conditions tomorrow before deciding on a strategy. The key to winning, he said, will be hitting fairways to increase the chance of reaching greens in regulation and making birdies. He plans to give it his all.
Chang Wei-lun, who also stands at 135 after two rounds, shot a 67 today with seven birdies, no bogeys, and one double bogey. His driving was solid, with a 50% fairway success rate, and his putting was outstanding with just 23 putts. His short game was strong, including chip-ins for birdie on holes 3 and 12. He birdied all four par-5 holes.
His only mistake came on the par-4 17th hole, where his tee shot veered left. Despite a tough lie, he rushed an attempt to go straight for the green but failed to thread the trees, instead hitting one and bouncing back. It took four shots to reach the green, and two putts from 12 feet resulted in a double bogey.
He said that if the wind remains strong tomorrow, he plans to stay aggressive in order to have a chance at winning, though he will adapt his tactics depending on the situation.
First-round leader Suteepat Prateeptienchai struggled with his driving today, hitting only six fairways and just ten greens in regulation. On the par-4 7th hole, where he made a double bogey in round one, he again missed left off the tee and carded another double bogey. He also had four birdies and three bogeys, finishing with a 73 but remains in contention.
Liu Yonghua started on the 10th hole. After poor tee shots led to two bogeys, he steadied with pars and then birdied holes 7 and 9 to complete his first nine in even-par 36. On holes 1–9, his tee shots and putting came back to form. He made an eagle and two birdies, including an eagle on the 324-yard par-4 4th hole, where he drove the green and holed a 15-yard putt. He also made a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 2nd and chipped in from 22 yards on hole 6. He shot a 32 on the back nine. He hit seven fairways and needed just 26 putts over 18 holes.
He said that he hadn’t set any expectations for results this week and plans to approach tomorrow’s final round with a calm mindset. “This is my first year playing on the Asian Development Tour, and I’ve felt how intense the competition is at this level. I tried to push hard but didn’t get good results in the first half of the year. Playing back home is a chance to adjust my mentality.”
Japan’s Naoki Sekito carded six birdies and three bogeys. Starting from the 10th in the morning group, he found it difficult to manage his drives and putts due to stronger winds, making two birdies and two bogeys for a 36. He adjusted his putting rhythm on the front nine, making four birdies and one bogey for a 33.
Huang Yi-tseng played solidly throughout, saying he felt confident with his drives, hitting 11 fairways. His second shots were accurate, hitting 14 greens in regulation. His putting was strong with 28 putts. He recorded one eagle, five birdies, and three bogeys. His best hole was the par-4 11th, where he holed out from 115 yards with a 58-degree wedge for eagle.
The tournament winner will earn US$17,500 (approximately NT$525,000). A total of 144 players from 24 countries are competing, including 81 international players, 62 Taiwanese professionals, and one Taiwanese amateur.
This is the fifth event of the 2025 ADT season and the only ADT tournament on this year’s TPGA Tour. There are 11 ADT events this season. This marks the eighth time the Yeangder Group has co-sponsored an ADT event with the PGA of Taiwan (TPGA), and the fourth time that SOCH Furniture, a Yeangder-affiliated company, has served as title sponsor.
The Yeangder Group first sponsored the Yeangder ADT Open in 2012 and then hosted the Ambassador ADT in 2015 and 2016. From 2015, it also co-hosted the Hsiang Cheng Yeangder ADT Open for three consecutive years with the Hsiang Cheng Hotel Group. After a long hiatus, the Ambassador ADT was revived last year, and this year marks the eighth time the group has sponsored an ADT event.
Yeangder Group chairman Hsu Yu-jui has long hoped to support young Taiwanese players aspiring to compete internationally by offering opportunities to perform well in a familiar home setting and take a big leap forward. The ADT is a vital stage for young Asian Tour hopefuls, a critical battleground for gaining experience and sharpening skills before moving up to the main tour.
The group’s goal in sponsoring ADT events is to create more opportunities for Taiwanese players to reach the international stage. With TPGA events now offering OWGR points, hosting more international events also raises point totals for participants and better supports young local talent in chasing their dreams.
Taiwan has previously hosted up to four ADT events in one season. Players like Chan Shih-chang, Hung Chien-yao, Hsieh Chi-hsien, and Lee Chieh-po took advantage of those opportunities to successfully earn status on the Asian Tour. There are 12 ADT events scheduled for 2024, including three consecutively held last November. This year, the Ambassador ADT Open was moved to May to give players more space to compete for ranking points critical to year-end standings.
Younger players on the TPGA Tour especially benefit from the opportunity to compete against new-generation golfers from across Asia, gaining valuable experience and improving their competitive level. With the tournament timing, players currently active on the Asian Tour, including Chang Wei-lun, Chan Shih-chang, Hung Chien-yao, and Liu Yonghua, can also participate—greatly improving the chances of keeping the trophy in Taiwan.
This year’s tournament includes 144 players from 24 countries, including Argentina, China, the United Kingdom, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United States, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
The tournament is being held on both the East and West courses of Hsin Feng Golf Club, with a total course length of 6,618 yards. Though relatively short, the course presents many challenges, including narrow, tree-lined fairways, strong winds, dense rough, and demanding green complexes.
Special Tournament Prizes
Hole-in-One Awards:
On holes 2, 8, 12, and 15 (East holes 2 and 8; West holes 3 and 6), the course is offering a NT$20,000 cash prize and a product of equal value for the first professional player to record a hole-in-one during official tournament play.
On the 15th hole (West 6), Tung Hui Watch Company is offering a Bell & Ross watch valued at NT$168,000 for the first professional player to make a hole-in-one during official tournament play.
There is also a non-hole-specific prize: Daan Group is offering a free night’s stay in the Presidential Suite at Lishan Guest House, with no holiday restrictions.
ADT points have counted toward the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) since 2013. The top five players on the ADT money list at season’s end earn playing privileges on the Asian Tour the following year.
Highlights from the final two rounds will be broadcast online starting at 4:00 PM on June 10 and 11. The event will be available on the PGA of Taiwan's official Facebook, ELTA Sports, and YouTube platforms. Tournament news can also be followed via the TPGA website, Golfourit on LINE, LINE Today, and Yahoo Sports.
Spectators are welcome to attend during the tournament. Admission is free, but a NT$20 cleaning fee must be paid at the entrance counter. Spectators must register at the start station to receive a pass. All on-course viewing must be done on foot via cart paths—riding in carts is strictly prohibited, and no shuttle service is provided between holes. For safety reasons, children under 6 and pets are not allowed on the course. Fans are encouraged to seize the opportunity to watch the thrilling performance of rising professional golfers in person tomorrow, May 31.
